Yes, if you use stored value (pay as you go) on a CharlieCard. You can pay for up to 4 one-way fares at once using a single CharlieCard at the same station. You can also store 1 pass of any type on the same card.

Currently, there is no mobile app to pay your fare on the bus and subway. But you will be able to pay with your phone soon! We’re overhauling how you pay your fare on the T, launching in 2020. Check out Automated Fare Collection (AFC) 2.0 for more information.

No. We encourage you to use exact change if you pay in cash on the bus or trolley. If you insert less than $0.25 over the fare, you won’t receive any change at all. If you insert more than $0.25 over the fare, you will receive a stored value CharlieTicket with the balance.

Local Buses only travel within Boston and the communities in the immediate area.

There are 2 types of Express Buses: Inner and Outer. Inner Express Buses make stops in nearby suburbs and then drive directly to downtown Boston. Outer Express Buses do the same, but for communities farther away from the city. Outer Express Bus fares are the most expensive.

Inner Express Bus passes include travel on all Local Buses, subway, Commuter Rail Zone 1A, and the Charlestown ferry when printed on a CharlieTicket. The CharlieCard version is only valid on bus and subway.

Outer Express Bus passes include travel on all Inner Express Buses, Local Buses, subway, Commuter Rail Zone 1A, and the Charlestown ferry when printed on a CharlieTicket. The CharlieCard version is only valid on bus and subway.

Commuter Rail Fares

No. CharlieCards can only be used to pay bus and subway fares. (The one exception is that some monthly Commuter Rail pass holders do receive their passes on CharlieCards. These cards are printed with the month and zone of the pass and can be used to pay for both bus/subway and Commuter Rail.)

Yes, up to your designated zone. For example, if you have a Zone 6 pass and and your regular commute is from Greenbush to South Station, you can use your pass to travel to stations on any line up to Zone 6, like Salem, Concord, and Mansfield.

If you want to travel beyond the zone number on your pass, you’ll pay a one-way Interzone fare for the extra zones. For example, if you wanted to travel to a Zone 8 station on your Zone 6 pass, you’d pay an Interzone 2 fare.

You can request an upgrade to a higher Zone level at the ticket booths at North and South Station or at the CharlieCard Store in Downtown Crossing. You’ll be charged for the difference in price between the passes.

We recommend using our Commuter Rail fare finder. Enter your origin station and destination station, and your zone and prices for all available tickets and passes will be automatically generated. You can also view maps displaying all stations by zone (at the bottom of the page).

No, unless you board the train at a station where you can pre-purchase your ticket (for example, stations with fare vending machines or ticket booths). In that case, there is a $3 surcharge for purchasing your ticket onboard.

You can buy a monthly pass up until the end of the day on the 14th of the month. For example, August passes may be purchased up until August 14. On August 15, all outlets would switch to selling September passes.

Keep in mind, MBTA passes are not pro-rated, so there is no discount for purchasing a pass after part of the month has passed. Weekly or 10-ride passes may be a more economical option in that circumstance.

All monthly passes for all modes other than Interzone and Commuter Rail Zone 9-10 are available at fare vending machines and retail sales locations around Greater Boston. You can purchase any Commuter Rail or ferry pass on mTicket, but keep in mind those passes aren’t valid for travel on any other mode. You can also purchase any Commuter Rail pass at the ticket booths at South Station and North Station.

You can sign up for our Auto-pay program, currently available for bus and subway monthly passes (coming soon for Commuter Rail). You will be billed on the 22nd of each month and your pass will renew automatically.

Unfortunately, no. The MBTA does not offer refunds on any fare products. If you are a member of our auto-pay program, you can cancel or pause your subscription free of charge up until the 22nd of the month prior. For example, you won’t be charged for an August pass if you pause your subscription before July 22.

CharlieCards last for years, but they do eventually expire. The expiration date of your card should be printed in the lower right-hand corner, across from the serial number. If no expiration date is printed on your card, you can look it up using a fare vending machine.

We sell CharlieCards online through our Group Sales department. Orders must be valued at more than $25. You can select CharlieCards loaded with stored value or 1-day, 7-day, or a monthly LinkPass. Please note that the card will not come with gift wrapping.

Alternatively, you can visit a station where blank CharlieCards are available and load one with stored value or the pass of your choice at a fare vending machine.

Yes, for one-way and round trip tickets. You should purchase a separate ticket for each passenger 12 and older in your group, and activate each ticket when you board the Commuter Rail or ferry. You can’t load more than 1 monthly pass on the same mTicket app or device.

Email mticketing@mbta.com with your account details and wallet number. A customer service representative will respond to you. Please note that there are limits to the number of device transfers accounts may have over time.

Middle and high school students at participating schools benefit from reduced fares on the MBTA. Check with your school to find out about eligibility and participation.

College students at participating universities can join the MBTA’s Semester Pass Program but do not benefit from the same reduced fares as middle and high school students. Check with your school to find out more information.